Restless Earth Syllabus

 In this unit, we will learn about the layers of Earth, tectonic plates, and the theories about the formation of Earth’s surface.  Two key themes will be introduced in this unit.  These themes will be stressed throughout the year because they pertain to all units included in 6^th grade Earth Science.  These themes are:

            1:  Parts of one system, such as weather systems, solar systems, and ocean systems, can affect other systems (i.e.: El Nino’s effect on weather).

1. Unequal heating of Earth’s interior, exterior, and its atmosphere has an effect on how the molecules in those areas behave.

 Georgia Performance Standards:

Characteristics of Science

S6CS1:  Students will explore the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism in  science and  will exhibit these traits in their own efforts  to understand how the  world  works.

S6CS3d:  Students will draw conclusions based on analyzed data.

S6CS6c:  Students will organize scientific information using appropriate tables, charts, and graphs, and identify relationships they reveal.

S6CS 8c:  As prevailing theories are challenged by new information, scientific knowledge may change and grow.

S6CS 9a:  Scientific investigations are conducted for different reasons.  They usually involve collecting evidence, reasoning, devising hypotheses, and formulating explanations.

S6CS10c:  Demonstrate an understanding of contextual vocabulary in various subjects.

 Content

S6E3c:  Describe the composition, location, and subsurface topography of the world’s oceans.

S6E5a:  Compare and contrast Earth’s crust, mantle, and core, including temperature, density, and composition.

S6E5d:  Recognize that lithospheric plates constantly move and cause major geological events on Earth’s surface.

S6E5e:  Explain the effects of physical processes (plate tectonics, erosion, deposition, volcanic eruption, gravity)  on geological features including oceans (composition, currents, and  tides).  (Partially covered.  More will be covered during the last part of 1^st semester and the first part of 2^nd semester.)

S6E5f:  Describe how fossils show evidence of the changing surface and climate of Earth.

 Online Textbook Resources:

1. Visual Concepts:  (Structure  of Earth, Tectonic Plates and Plate Tectonics, Seismic Waves:  Surface Waves, Seismographs and mapping  Earth’s surface, Continental Drift, Sea-Floor Spreading, Magnetic Reversals and Sea-Floor Spreading, Convergent Boundaries, Subduction Zone, Divergent and Transform  Boundaries, Causes of Tectonic Plate Motion, Global Positioning System (GPS), Stress, Tension, Types of Rock-Layer Folding, Types of Faults, Hanging Walls and Footwalls, and Types of Mountains)
2. Page Interactive Items:  (pp. 192-193—Math Practice, p. 195– Quick Lab, p. 197—Scilinks:  Composition of Earth, Structure of Earth, p. 201—Scilinks:  Tectonic Plates, p. 205—Scilinks:  Plate Tectonics, p. 209—Quick  Lab, p. 211—Connection to Social  Studies, p. 212—Internet Activity,  p, 213—Scilinks:  Faults and Mountain Building
3. Concept Mapping Tool:  Plate Tectonics
4. Virtual Investigations:  Plate Tectonics
5. Lab Video:  Convection Connection
6. Student Resources:
   1. Practice Worksheets
   2. Assessment Resources
   3. Scilinks

 Online Textbook:  my.hrm.com

Username: mutzx

Password: n3j3h

(SKILLSTUTOR)

 Key Vocabulary Terms:  (Not all inclusive)

Crust, mantle,  core, lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, inner core, plate tectonics, continental drift, sea-floor  spreading, subduction, convergent boundary, divergent boundary,  transform  boundary,  shearing, compression,  tension, normal fault,  reverse fault, strike-slip fault

 Required Reading:

Textbook reading may be counted toward your overall number  of  reading pages, but not as a genre.  Remember to log your pages!

1. (pp. 186-193)  Inside Earth
2. (pp. 198-201)  Restless Earth
3. (pp.202-205)  The Theory of Plate Tectonics
4. (pp.206-213)  Deforming of  Earth’s Crust
5. (pp. 228-229) What are Earthquakes?
6. (pp. 250-253) Volcanic Eruptions
7. (pp. 254-259) Effects of Volcanic Eruptions
8. (pp. 260-265) Causes of Volcanic Eruptions

 Sample Activities to teach concepts: 

Foldable vocabulary book, Far-Flung Fossils, Investigating Plate Tectonics by Creative Dimensions, Foldables for heat transfer,  plate boundaries, types of stresses, and types of faults,  poster of Earth’s Layers, hands-on labs, including “What Makes a Vent Event?”  “Rising Mountains,” “Cracks in Hard-Boiled Earth,”  “When Buildings Boogie,” “Modeling an Explosive Eruption,” and “Reactions to Stress.”

 Test:

After each test, students will be prescribed a test task.  Test Tasks are differentiated activities based on the grade earned on the test.  This will enrich and reinforce science concepts covered in the Restless Earth unit.  Completion of the activities will be required and counted as a test grade.  Students will be given one class period to work on the test tasks as well as two nights before it is due.

 STUDENTS:  You MUST bring a “pleasure” reading  book on  all  test days!

 Test Tasks:

Level 3 (0-74 on test):  Must complete  3 tasks

 Level 2 (75-89 on test):  Must complete 2 tasks

 Level 1 (90-100 on test):  Must complete 1 task

 

TEST TASKS (Level 1):  Choose ONLY 1 of the following to complete:

 _____ a. (Sheet) Geology puzzler packet

_____ b. (Sheet) Critical Thinking Web Research: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

_____ c. (Sheet) Geology Sci-links Web Activity

 _____ d. (3 Partner Activity) Create a seismograph and share with the class. Requirements on paper:

• MATERIALS: You must create a materials list to show teacher before you begin (try to find materials available in school)
  • SOURCE OF DISTURBANCE: You must explain what will be making the disturbance
  • MODEL: Draw and label your model
  • INSTRUCTIONS: Explain how it will work

 Use page 196 and chapter 8 (earthquakes) to help you.

_____ e. (Notebook Paper) Answer the following questions with great thought and detail:

• page 69; # 7
• page 97; #8,99
• page 201; #8
• page 205; #6,7
• page 213; #12
• page 283; #8

 TEST TASKS (Level 2):  Choose ONLY 2 of the following to complete:

 _____ a. (Sheet) Mineral Quiz Show Review

 _____ b. (Model) Create an accurate, detailed, and colored drawing that represents Earth’s layers. You must include:

crust mantle inner core outer core

asthenosphere lithosphere mesosphere convection current

 

www.myskillstutor.com  :  username: firstlastname    password: lunch number    site: mcclure01

_____ c. (Notebook Paper) Answer the following questions on page 197: 10, 11

 _____ d. (Online: REQUIRES TEACHER/PARENT SIGNATURE) Skillstutor

• You must do both activities (Rocks and Minerals / Dynamic Earth) to get credit
• You must get an 80% on both quizzes (you may retake each quiz up to 3 times)
• You must get a signature for both activities/quizzes

 

 TEST TASKS (Level 3):  Choose ONLY 3 of the following to complete:

 _____ a. (Sheet) Plate Tectonics Vocabulary Puzzle

_____ b. (Sheet) Mineral and Rocks Review

_____ c. (Sheet) Boundary Graphic Organizer

_____ d. (Sheet/ Model) Label the model of Earth using vocabulary terms (spelling counts)

 _____ e. (Notebook Paper) Answer the following questions (chapter 7):

1)    Why does molten rock from the mantle come through Earth’s crust?

2)    Why does the ocean floor spread at the mid-ocean ridge

3)   

www.myskillstutor.com   username: firstlastname    password: lunch number    site: mcclure01

Why is rock formed at the mid-ocean ridge called ‘new rock’?

 _____f. (Online: REQUIRES TEACHER/PARENT SIGNATURE) Skillstutor

• You must do both activities (Rocks and Minerals / Dynamic Earth) to get credit
• You must get an 80% on both quizzes (you may retake each quiz up to 3 times)
• You must get a signature for both activities/quizzes